Take Only What You Need

Sophie has a movie called 'Barbie and the Magic Pegasus'. Princess Annika has to break the spell of Wenlock, an evil wizard who had turned has turned her family to stone. In order to do this, she must acquire pieces to create a wand of light. The 3 pieces needed are a measure of courage, a gem of ice lit by Hope's eternal flame and a ring of love.

At first, it was the last day of her journey that stuck out to me more than the others. Annika and her friends find Hopes Eternal Flame. It is a giant mountain of ice that seems to capture a perfect beam of the sun. Inside the mountain lies the gem. The entrance reads "Beware take only what you need but never from greed." When the sign is read, stairs appear from within the wall of mountain. Inside is a sparking cavern of ice. That perfect beam of the sun, shines through the mountain and Annika must "follow the light" in order to locate the treasure.

The words "Take only what you need" have been a soft echo in my thoughts lately. I hear them as I try to manage time, overwhelmed with things that I should be doing; I find myself only planning what is needed for that day instead. Yet, somehow also establishing boundaries to protect what I need from the day as well.

"Take only what you need" as I try to fill a grocery cart and then to stretch the contents once I am home. Trying not to cry at the register when I realize that my best effort to calculate still came up short and the money that I hoped would be left over for a bill, is now filling up a bag instead. Learning that just because I am out of something, doesn't mean that I need it. -Then trying to apply that lesson in other areas, outside of the store.

"Take only what you need" as I cling to hope in prayer; trying to figure out how to only hang onto God, as so many other things that I thought that I needed fail me. This has been one of the hardest times that have experienced as an adult. Not just financially but spiritually, and even physically.  -Although not in a 'health' sense of that word. Tests have hammered away and successfully chiseled off what I thought was part of my identity. The list of "need" is considerably slimming down.

Just as I think that I am "getting the message" I stumble across "A Mother's Emptiness" by Tony Evans. This sermon was based of 2 Kings 4:1-7 "The Widows Oil".  The meaning of "Take only what you need" is redefined. Take only (from someone else) what you need (someone to take from you).

While I let that new version take its shape in my mind, I switch back to the Barbie movie. The whole purpose of Annika's mission was to free a people. Their freedom was all that she needed. I took a second look at what she needed to complete this mission and was struck by the irony.

A measure of courage - The courage to have faith in something/someone that we cannot see. The courage to face ourselves and try a new way to live. - Verse: So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 - Your strength.

A gem of ice lit by Hope's eternal flame - It is the Hope in our Eternal Flame that drives our purpose to endure and fulfill...  When you scale back life, to only what is needed, doesn't it change the things that you treasure and what you fight for? - Verse: This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary.  Hebrews 6:19 - Your anchor or your compass.

A ring of love - A commitment to love everything/one. - Verse: Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death... Solomon 8:6 - Your weapon.

I know it seems crazy to think so much about a Barbie movie. -Especially when the author probably wasn't writing around the same theme. Don't we spend our time though, pining away for fairy tales and riches? Yet, even when we have "it all", we still desire something... until we have faith.  When we need to move, it's only hope that gets you or your circumstance beyond the curtain. -And Love... Love is as strong as death...  I just can't think of anything that needs to be added to that statement.  

We are never satisfied until we have those three. It's the combination the three of them that radiate the power of his light and transform not only our heart of stone but the hearts of those around us.

***below is what was added later****

It might seem like those three things aren’t really weapons for battles in the real world. –But I assure you that they are.  If you’re struggling with time, be sure to make time first to cultivate your faith. Reading the word and praying sound too simple and so we often skip them. Our father really will give you strength if you just come to him. Get to know him. Call out when you need it. This world will exhaust you with things to do.  You will have to fight for physical rest. Fight for time to do the things that you enjoy and for your time with him. Fight the good fight of faith! (1 Timothy 6:12)

Whether it’s a financial matter, your health, a relationship or a job, whatever your battle is, cling to hope in prayer. Our circumstances can change in a blink but God never changes. Romans 15:4 says that whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 

The more that you know about God and his promises, the more that you can use them to keep you focused when things go awry. When you fail, refocus on him. Don’t venture off with should’ve, could’ve or more self-defeat.  Reclaim his word and try again or simply stand against the current. Hope in him will let us know when it’s time to wait or time to move. But God is your anchor. He will keep you from getting lost in the sea.

Love sometimes seems the least likely to be realistic weapon in many battles. Don’t let that little pink heart shaped word mislead you. I’ve prayed to God to make me love the bible when I couldn’t understand it. (He answered) –To love prayer when I felt like I had no idea how to reach out. (He answered)  –To love a coworker that I sincerely felt like I hated (don’t worry, no one at my present organization. BUT he answered and we became friends). -To love better when I felt like someone else was mistreating me in a relationship. (He answered). I’ve even prayed to love my circumstances no matter what is happening around me. The more that we look for things to love, the more that we find things that are loveable. Then the darkness gets dimmer and dimmer.

Sometimes it is really hard in each scenario but remember that he’s faithful and he answers.  Then get back up and try again and let the spirit tell you how to act in love. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8)

Whatever mission you are in right now, take only what you need...

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And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Reliance | Branch 36

I read an article a couple of weeks ago that called out some well-known preachers as false prophets. One of which happened to play a large role in cultivating my own faith. While I couldn't dispute some of the points that were noted, I believe that the author’s approach was also out of line. The sheer tone of the article made me grieve as it seemed to carry one of hopelessness. I didn’t fully support either side of what was presented. I was taken aback and stutter struck. 

It made me question so many things. What I was taught as a child. What we teach now at church. What beliefs others might share. Not just at church, but in family, friends, and in authors of books that line my shelves. Most importantly, the article made me question my reliance on others to provide a version of the word; instead of my going straight to the source. How well do any of us know how well another knows the word of God?

Is our only message about God what we hear from our Pastor on Sunday, or is it third hand news from a coworker that goes instead? How much of what we know is truly what we know or only what we’ve been told? At what point do we think that we’d recognize a misinterpretation? Who exactly are we following?

What about me…?  Am I at times a false prophet? The whole purpose of this blog was a commitment to develop my own relationship with God.  To cause me to commit to that quiet time alone with him for study, thought and reflection. I am human though, just like our preachers, our parents, our friends, our praise teams, etc. None of us are too strong or too smart to be misguided.

This type of situation is a pivotal moment for many in their own faith. Many would feel that same frustration and just throw in the towel. “I don’t know what to believe.” “I can’t trust anyone.” While, I may not have all of the facts straight, I have experienced enough evidence in my life to know that God is real and his answers are worth seeking out. My questions in this situation were geared more toward direction and not him.

There is a piece of commentary in my bible that I think of a lot when it comes to doubt.  It’s based on verses John 20:25-28. Thomas (one of the disciples) doubted Jesus’s return. He said “unless I see nail marks and unless I can put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

The commentary says “Some people need to doubt before they believe. If doubt leads to questions, questions lead to answers, and the answers are accepted, then doubt has done good work. It is when doubt becomes a lifestyle that doubt harms faith. When you doubt, don’t stop there. Let your doubt deepen your faith as you continue to search for the answer.”

In verse 27 Jesus and Thomas were standing face to face. Jesus told Thomas to reach out and touch his hands and to place his fingers into Jesus’s side. Verse 28 ends with Thomas proclaiming “My Lord and My God!” because he was able to confirm it for himself.

Whether it is doubt, confusion or simple curiosity, often the only answer that will satisfy is the one that we get for ourselves. Firsthand information or even identification is so much more powerful than what we have heard others testify to. Thomas would never have been satisfied without touching Jesus for himself.

There are many, many different methods and approaches for sharing the word of God. Being exposed to a variety of styles and interpretations will help us maintain balance, so that we aren't hung on one method alone. Even methods that we don’t necessarily like or agree with can still hold a valuable purpose. -Particularly, when they activate thoughts and fire motivation for each of us to start digging into the word.

The result may or may not be different than what we set out to find but everything is a teachable moment. -Especially when we take it back to the ultimate teacher. If you find yourself doubting something, ask God what he would like to show you.  Then don’t stop digging and praying and listening until you find peace (the answer that satisfies). For me, this moment has spawned a lot of possible changes in how I study the word, maybe even in how I “blog” and perhaps even more changes in other areas.

I always thought that there was a verse that said “even his correction is good.”  I found several others verses instead that simply state that we are wise if we love his word and his discipline. Either way, it’s very timely. Why, just in my last post, I said something about how I might not like when he first brings something to light but if I just hang on and ask him to show me something with it, I have always wound up thankful for it in the end. 

With his correction, I know he’s there. If another corrects me and I don’t like it, I can take it to him and he will tell me what I need to know. I have learned so many valuable things about myself in that light.

Earlier this year I said that I needed to be somewhere different with my faith by the end of 2013. As the months have unfolded, I have consistently felt like he was realigning me. The deeper I go, the more I feel his hand working in my life.  This moment, revealed another root for him to realign. It hurt when he pulled it up but I know that where he’s redirected me is such a better place.

And because I love a good testimony, let me also add that the Sunday before I read that article, I read the verse “CAUSE me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning; For in thee do I trust: CAUSE me to know the way wherein I should walk; For I lift up my soul unto thee.” (Psalm 143:8 ASV). 

Tears welled up in my eyes and I prayed it in our Sunday School class. The following morning, I read that article.  Does he not answer our prayers?  Has he not caused me to look yet another layer deeper at the person that he has called me to be and what he wants me to know about him?

The day after that article as I rode to work, I passed a church sign that read “Prayer does not change God’s mind, it changes you.” Isn’t that the truth?!  I asked for a cause and it brought me to my knees. I will be the one making the changes because of it. For it is Jesus Christ that is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).



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The word "branch" was used in the title because it relates to one of the tree characteristics from an earlier post.

Reflecting | Branch 23

The last few months have sort of been a slow motion of God and I doing comparisons. Like reconciling the checkbook. Here is my list of my debits and credits. How do they line up with his word. Sometimes it feels like a line item by line item process. Unlike the dreaded checkbook, I love this kind of reconcile. Maybe not when he highlights an out of balance item for the first time; but after the thought has had time to settle...

I also love that when God is dealing with us about something, he continues with it until we get it. That is, as long as we continue with him. He plants these little seeds of correction that I might not understand at first but then when I am out of balance, he 'highlights' it again in real time. I can then see exactly where or what he's showing me.

I know that he is trying to teach me 'stillness'. Stillness can be applied in every area of our lives but for now that lens is focused on my mouth. Here are some of my examples.

1. How passive aggressive, sarcasm and even good natured humor can tear another down. We never know how the devil is working in someone's life and so if our words don't build another up, why say them at all?

2. I often over explain when it's unnecessary and even describe myself or my personal situation(s) with a negative tone. It doesn't represent how I feel about me or even who God created me to be. I think that it's a habit from an old place but it really doesn't fit me anymore. It's time to let it go!

3. Is my mouth so full of words that even though they are not all negative, the goodness is lost in the sheer quantity of what is being said?

All of the above and many other examples represent useless chatter. If it doesn't serve not only a purpose but the specific purpose of building up, is it in fact useless, or even worse... destructive?

The misuse of words doesn't sound like such a big deal but if I have to spend more time correcting what I just said, it can get rather exhausting.  Wearing myself out, isn't exactly the kind of 'stillness' God has in mind. Not only that but our mouth is often the first thing that people notice about us and the only thing that they remember later.

The Bible is full of verses about the power of the tongue and controlling the mouth but I am thinking of James 1:24 (NLT) instead. "But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like." 

I love that. "Face in a mirror". I didn't understand that verse when I first read it. But it just makes so much sense now. Doesn't the bible say that we are each made in his image? Aren't we all called to reflect a glimpse of God to all who see us, including ourselves? 

If that's the case, shouldn't we start in front of that mirror every day to 'fix' our eyes on our maker? To 'tweak' our thoughts 'just so' and 'blot' our lips to remove any excess? Do we truly see ourselves with the same purpose and vitality that we were made with and will we remember to display it when we walk away from the glass?

Later in the day when inadequacy begins to knock, will we return to that mirror to 'touch up' what has worn away. Reconciling our flesh against our father's truth. Restoring the fullness of hope and inviting his word to not only penetrate but to purify what we offer of ourselves.

The very next verse says "But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." (James 1:25 NLT)

Free of the burden of heavy habits and then something to fret over later. Free knowing that we encouraged another and that by doing so, we encourage ourselves. Free to know the peace that comes with excellency when we obtain it. Free to anyone who believes...

Sometimes stillness isn't about not doing anything but more about allowing ourselves time to pause and think about who we are. As we realign our heart, his image comes into view. Then our reflection follows suit.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 (NIV)

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Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:17, 20, 21 NASB)



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The word "branch" was used in the title because it relates to one of the tree characteristics from an earlier post.

Update to an earlier post

Please go back and check out an earlier post "The Life Of A Tree". I've added verses to each of those characteristics. Some of them really surprised me but when the Lord speaks to us, it's always timely and thought provoking. I hope that these comparisons speak to you as well.

Until next time...
Reggie

Psalm 23 | Scripture

Photo by: http://www.123rf.com

Within the last month Psalms 23 has popped up at least a dozen times, if not more. It was the verse of the day in an app that I use. It was on a bookmark that I found in an auto shop waiting room.  It was posted on a message board that I drove by on my way home. Again and again it has appeared in countless locations. Thankfully, none of which were funerals, where it is most often read.

I decided that God was trying to get my attention. I read the verse but didn’t have any giant "ahas". So I asked him what he was trying to tell me. I’ve thought about its meaning and read it several times. Finally, last Sunday it was read before the opening prayer in service at church. I resolved to a bucket of tears.

It felt like a sob of repentance. As if my soul knew everything that was being said even though my brain and my ears were still trying to figure out the real message. Just this week I feel like I finally get it.

While I haven’t been to any funerals, I have strongly felt God dealing with my character this year. The last month or two have been some of the hardest that I’ve had in a while. It’s actually felt like a dying of the flesh or a parting of self. I am sure that another post will come soon with details about that but for now I am just going to share Psalm 23 with my notes.

You probably already knew the message. It’s pretty clear.  My mind just had to catch up and recognize that it was more than words on paper. May it be a bit of encouragement to you. This passage is the King James Version.

1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He is the provider of all things. He knows every one of my needs without my having to ask. He even knows the ones that I am unaware of. He gives them as needed.  Not too soon so that they won’t satisfy. Not too late so that they are stale.

2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

His path is refreshing, it carries necessity. Not just in water but in rest. Water revives what is dried up and cools what is overheated. Rest allows you to regain your strength, to adjust your attitude, find a new perspective or even the courage to try again. 

His path includes rest and water. While you relax in his presence, his water will restore you so that you can begin again. It leads to life. It’s a path of peace. A path of joy. Both of which are easiest to feel when we are rested.

Whenwe don’t follow that path, we become exhausted; searching for our own answers or solutions, wrestling with life’s challenges, draining ourselves of hope.

3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Not only does he lead you along the peaceful path. He leads you to a place of dignity and not shame. He is the ultimate vindicator and when you get to your destination; all things will be made right. -Just as he has promised.

I like to think that it’s also because you and I are named after him and made in is image.  –It’s not just the fulfillment of his promise.

4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

It doesn’t matter what the circumstances are or what death you are facing in your physical, spiritual or emotional life. Your valley of death could be any of the following: No money for food, the threat of death to your job, the death of your reputation or image, death to a relationship or habit. You might even be experiencing a death of another kind but in that valley, he is there. Push on.

Like the coachman in a carriage (although thankfully not as aggressively), he corrects me and leads me through the valley, back to his path. The rod is a comfort because it reassures me that he is there. He knows the way out. I am not alone. He won’t let me go too far to the left or too far to the right, if I just follow his promptings.

5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

To anoint with oil, is a sign of being sacred. You and I are sacred and chosen. He loves us. Like the story about the father and prodigal son, he’s preparing a feast.

You and I know what it’s like to make a special dinner for someone that we love. There are some things that we prepare in advance. There are some things that we can prep and chop and clean up once the other things have been started. We like to time it just right so that this gift that is being prepared is just right when our beloved arrives. It’s fresh. Hot. -Just the way that they like it. So often, we don’t start those items until we know that the guest is at a certain place or has already arrived.

How many times do we doubt God and fight him. The problem arrives. We get distracted trying to solve the problem. God calls. Where are you? Seek me. Tell me when you’ll get here because I am preparing something for you. We silence the phone. Send him to voicemail. We’re still doing what we think that we need to do.

After hours, days, and sometimes even years, we are finally too tired to DO anything else. There is no other option except to turn to God. Our plans have failed. We return home too exhausted to speak. He doesn’t ask questions. He doesn’t say “I told you so”. He doesn’t even ask you to come help him with anything. He says go lie down and take a rest. Relax. When you’ve regained your strength, get cleaned up. I’m preparing my best for you. But we had to get in his presence first, in order to receive it.

And who cares about your enemies. He was waiting for you!!

6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The one magic word in this whole verse is ‘follow’. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me…”  How many times do we focus on the prize instead?  We try to obtain goodness in ourselves, from others and in circumstances. We ask life for mercy and then try to squeeze it out with our own hands.

In verses 2 and 3 it says that God leads.  If he leads then I can’t possibly looking at anything but him. When that is true, I might see the valley or the death around me but I am not focused on it. I can’t do anything with my own hands or I will miss his direction.

I might feel the sand in my eyes, the sweat on my brow, the sun on my skin. But I look to him. He leads me out. The blessings happen. They are behind me because I am on the right path. They come after every step of faith into his direction.

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I hate to end it here but this was my version. I love that if you searched for other interpretations, you could probably find a thousand that were drastically different from mine. Sometimes though, God just has a little message for you and I. If you are facing a death in your own life, I hope that you get that rest so that you have not only the courage to face it but also the strength to enjoy the blessing that awaits you.

Oh and P.S. I’m going back and adding verses to every characteristic of my tree from my last post. I am almost done with the list and will post it soon. So stay tuned.

The Life Of A Tree

The Life Of A Tree

7/21/13 – Original

8/6/13 - Verses
10/1/13 - Revised

The following passage was taken from a study that I taught.

"Imagine a large and lovely tree, a tree that invites creatures to come and nest. A tree whose leafy arms hold the promise of comfort and rest. A person who is a shelter is one who affords those that enter her life the joy of relaxing in her love. She has come alive to her longings and the beauty of offering her soul without contempt or pressured performing. This aliveness is not a fruit that she uses to adorn herself. Rather, it is for the explicit purpose of having more to give to others for their well-being and to God for his Glory." -Dan Allender, The Wounded Heart.

I actually carry around a copy of that passage because it speaks so much to me. There is also a different picture of a tree that I post in various places to remind me of this.

In the last few weeks, I've really felt like God was trying to talk to me about trees. I am captivated by every one that I see. Collectively and separately, I am stirred with so much thought and adoration. 

I can't help but wonder what that would be like? -God making me into a tree. If I were a tree; what kind would I be? An oak is usually what comes to mind, even though I haven’t necessarily decided.

You know the old adage that "You are the company you keep."  If I spent more time in the presence of trees, could I in fact become more like them?  What are some characteristics that I could gain? -Might I already have? 

I started coming up with the following list, starting with the most obvious. Consider it slowly. I hope that it speaks to you as well.

1. It’s the greatness of a tree that people imagine, not the sapling or damaged areas. - 1 Peter 5:10

2. Able to sway but never bend. - Romans 12:2

3. Arms always raised. - Psalms 63:3-4

4. Food/nourishment is always evident in fingers. Scattering seed. - Titus 2:1-5

5. Appearing to ‘dance’ through the blows of life. - James 1:12

6. Strong enough to hold a house within arms, or a nest, or two. - Proverbs 3:18

7. Sought for admiration, pleasure to a child, shelter from sun and rain, or as a choice material in building. – Philippians 2:1-4

8. To be a necessity to others in order to sustain life. - Proverbs 31:20

9. To only produce such quality and high value resources. - Galatians 5:22-23

10. What doesn't get consumed by others has potential to become the next offspring. - Deuteronomy 4:9-10

11. I've heard that if you follow the longest limb on a tree, you fill find that it covers the longest root. What a smart tree to always protect what makes it stand. – Psalms 91:2 (Check out the whole chapter).

12. Injuries & disease turn into interesting knots and scars. – Mark 5:19

13. Trees do not restore and repair wood that is injured and infected. Instead they compartmentalize off the damaged tissue. They don't work to replace those cells, they just grown around it! - Romans 6:4

14. Even decay can be used for the benefit of others. – Romans 8:28

15. Within the bark, appears to be a grooved road map for others to follow. -From the ground, up. - Isaiah 26:7

16. Only growing up. Never looking back. - Philippians 3:13-14

17. A tree does not waiver. It always stands ground. – Hebrews 10:23

18. Anyone can tell, simply by looking at the tree, what kind of tree it is, or that it is in fact, a tree. - John 15:5

19 It knows the difference in seasons, waiting and producing. – Hosea 12:6, Galatians 6:9

20. Flourishes in light, wilts in darkness. - 1 Thessalonians 5:5

21. Lives –only- on God's provision. – Matthew 6:11

22. The wood of a tree is an arrangement of living, dying, and dead cells. (Sounds just like our habits, huh?) – 2 Corinthians 4:12

23. To make no sound ever, except when moved by something. - Proverbs 15:4 | Branch

24. Born w/a crown. (The name for the upper portion of a tree). - Romans 8:17

25. Most of where I would retain water would be underground, hidden from sight. (I couldn't resist.) - Psalm 139:15-16

26. Trunk would be skinniest part. (Oops it happened again.) - Psalms 147:10-11

27. There's a fullness inside that only God gave. It can't be filled with money, food, compliments, etc... - Ephesians 3:16-19

28. That fullness is what gives the tree its strength. – 2 Corinthians 4:16

29. Satisfied with stillness. – Psalm 25:4-5

30. Some trees are self-pollinating, but they will often produce larger yields with a cross pollinator. – Philippians 4:13

31. Oak Trees grow incredibly slow. If they are overshadowed by bigger trees they spend most of their energy just trying to grow tall enough to see the sun. They do best when they are directly in the light and separated from other trees. – Psalm 27:8

32. For the rings, the past is tucked away on the inside, no one would know unless someone sought its heart. – Luke 9:62

33. Never stops maturing. – Job 12:12-13

34. Always a pleasing fragrance. - Ephesians 5:2

35. Most can weather any storm. They may be changed but not destroyed. –2 Corinthians 4:7-9, Romans 5:3-5

36. It's what's the roots are in, that determines how quickly it grows, how large it becomes and what it can withstand. - Matthew 7:24-27 | Branch

37. Trees trap more of the sun's energy than any other group of organisms on earth. (Son’s energy) - 1 John 4:4

38. One large tree can lift up to 100 gallons of water out of the ground and discharge it into the air in a day. (Living water & Profession) – John 7:38

39. They produce enough oxygen for 2-4 people to live. - Proverbs 11:30

40. It's the way that the crown is worn that makes a tree appealing. - Matthew 5:14-16

41. However, it's chosen for the consistency of the heart. – Proverbs 18:16

This might be another list that I come back and add to over time. Feel free to come back and check. I hope that it was a blessing to you.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”

- Jeremiah 17:8

Fully Sensing God

Recently I was looking for a picture for one of my posts. I wanted a green landscape. Scrolling through pictures, some were so green that I could smell them as clearly as if I were sitting there. If you've ever broken leaves on a plant or if you have been in a really lush forest, you might have an idea of the smell that I am referring to.

It happened again the following week while looking for another similar picture. This time it stayed on mind. I knew that there was a reason. I asked God what he might be trying to tell me with those pictures. The smell reminded me of my childhood, which was spent outside, swimming, making mud pies, collecting critters and climbing trees or singing to them. (Yes, really.)

I loved the water too but I would have to say by far that in the woods, was my favorite place to be. Of course by the teenage years I started drifting from that. And when I started having kids, I stopped going outside all together. Babies, bugs and sun... It just wasn't a good mix for me. When the kids got old enough to be entertained by outside, I stole that moment to catch up on something else that needed doing inside.

Since that last picture, I've thought a lot about how life and the world distract us from God. The more we learn, the more that we do for ourselves and the less that we look to God to provide. We live by our plans and talk about our needs and do what we want to do. 

We build our own houses, make our own gadgets and technology and then we surround ourselves with our things. Then we wonder why feel so caged up. There is no reflection of God in any of it. We're not only not looking at his future and what he can do, we aren't even looking at what he's already done and where he's been, or still is. Yet we ask ourselves, why is God so far away?

You might be wondering, how smelling a picture and going outside, relate to being closer to God? The smell was so strong and so alluring, it was calling my name. (I wish that I had saved the picture). 

It really got me thinking about the purpose and use of our senses. He created 5. I hear messages about him. I see his word in my bible. I taste evidence of him as I profess it with my mouth; his word and what he has done in my life. That only leaves 2 more. Touch and smell.

How much do I touch anything that God has made? Or celebrate it? I love my family. Clearly, God made each member. But the members in my family are 'man'. Going in my yard, still reflects 'us'. How long has it been since I have gone somewhere that only reflected God. Where there was no evidence of man at all? -To fully appreciate what only he has made. 

...calling my name.

And then there was smell... I was at a loss. I started thinking about what I did know about smell. Studies indicate that aromatherapy affects our mind and mood. It is the smell of food that arouses our appetite. Tasting wouldn't nearly be as good without smell. Familiar smells hold the power to connect us to a different time and place.

In fact every time that our kids go see their great grandmother, we laugh because when they come home, they each smell like Nanny. This might be a little far-fetched but Ecc 3:20 says that we came from dust and maybe somehow; that deep earth smell is a familiar reminder of home. Or maybe, in being deep in those woods, there is a smell that only my soul recognizes as God. 

Maybe all 5 of our senses are given for the purpose of identifying his nearness and his goodness. Even smell.

Psalms 107:9 - says that he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. If smell increases the appetite for it and amplifies the taste of it... How much more powerful could it be standing in his presence, if I made it so that every sense could only focus on him?  

Sanctuary...

That aromatherapy bit must have some truth in it also. The mountains, rocks and sand all filter water. The trees and plants filter air. Standing in the middle of all of that filtering and 'freshness' would have to have an invigorating effect on me as well. Not only filtering my mind of it's contaminants but slaking the pollution of the world from my soul.

Leviticus dedicates several chapters (see 17-20) to "Separating ourselves from the world and the worlds ways." Obviously that's more of a reference to a lifestyle. But what about as a hard reset? To be transformed by the renewing of my mind. (Romans 12:2)

I don't know about you but I could use a hard reset. 

I pray that this post lingers on your thoughts as it did mine. -That it plants a seed of desire to not only find that place but to go there. Regularly. The earth is FULL of his goodness. (Psalms 33:5) May we each find our own private sanctuary within it. 

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You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12 NIV)